Have you tried calling a private VIN verifier and asking them? I mean, the worst thing they could say is that they won't tell you.I'm in a very similar situation. Legally registered in Louisiana and shipped here to Cali. Had most of the paperwork done correctly but the DMV required Vin verification (Form 31). She couldn't find the sticker under the hood regarding epa emissions. I could see this going south quickly so I told her I'd check my paperwork at home and would be back. I know I can get the vin verification done at a private facility but box number 9 on Form 31 is what scares me. It's regarding emissions. Yes I know it's a diesel and the law should be on my side but if the wrong box is checked I know I can get screwed.
Any advice would be super helpful. Trying to be as above board as possible. thinking about having a friend register in his name in Washington if this fails me. Thanks all
Have you tried calling a private VIN verifier and asking them? I mean, the worst thing they could say is that they won't tell you.
How did it go?? Any luck?not a bad idea actually. It was mentioned earlier that you need both checked but I’m going to call around and do my homework. Stand by friends. Will report back. Thanks again!
How did it go?? Any luck?
not a bad idea actually. It was mentioned earlier that you need both checked but I’m going to call around and do my homework. Stand by friends. Will report back. Thanks again!
Best of luck and hope you have great success!I got a little lazy so not a lot happened in June and July but I just took it to a private vin verifier and will be picking up my paperwork next week. He said it's good and shouldn't be a problem at the DMV. Fingers crossed. I'll keep this thread informed.
In my personal experience though, no law enforcement in CA cares about an AZ-plated Delica. It's a sufficiently camper-looking vehicle that could very plausibly be touring the country, and you're sure not breaking any speed limits. I've never had an issue with my AZ plates in two years of ownership, haven't even bothered with attempting CA.
Hey Friends,
So I finally got my rig registered in CA. I've heard of the different ways people have successfully accomplished it, but for me, I took it to a 3rd party vin verifier as well as a 3rd party DMV registration office here in Los Angeles. After a few months, yes months, it all worked out and I got the plates, pink slip, and even got State Farm to insure it.
I've owned JDM cars before and never was able to register them here in CA, but this time was different because it was already registered legitimately out of state and it's a diesel.
(Gray market gas cars tend to get referred to the state referee and they are so serious about emissions compliance, US DOT standards etc that it's pretty much a dead end. Dude had a massive binder with photos of nearly every possible Honda/Acura modification (aftermarket intakes, headers, cam sprockets, etc) it was bonkers. Like someone in the government got paid to compile a list of all of the aftermarket no no's.
Anyway, I was very very close to doing the Montana LLC thing with my Mitsubishi, or having a buddy register it in Washington state or AZ, but my fear was that the DMV in WA or AZ would actually want to see the car. I called the Pacific Auto place in San Diego that many many people have had success with, but they never really followed up with me. Not bashing the place, they were clearly busy.
I figured I'd give it one more shot though with the 3rd party vin verifier and low and behold it worked.
Don't give up friends. It is possib
Congrats on the good news! do you by chance know how the VIN verification form was filled out? What boxes were checked etc? All of the third-party DMVoffices that I visited said that they wouldn't register a 25-year-old diesel and then I had to go to a main office for that. I'm glad you found success!Hey Friends,
So I finally got my rig registered in CA. I've heard of the different ways people have successfully accomplished it, but for me, I took it to a 3rd party vin verifier as well as a 3rd party DMV registration office here in Los Angeles. After a few months, yes months, it all worked out and I got the plates, pink slip, and even got State Farm to insure it.
I've owned JDM cars before and never was able to register them here in CA, but this time was different because it was already registered legitimately out of state and it's a diesel.
(Gray market gas cars tend to get referred to the state referee and they are so serious about emissions compliance, US DOT standards etc that it's pretty much a dead end. Dude had a massive binder with photos of nearly every possible Honda/Acura modification (aftermarket intakes, headers, cam sprockets, etc) it was bonkers. Like someone in the government got paid to compile a list of all of the aftermarket no no's.
Anyway, I was very very close to doing the Montana LLC thing with my Mitsubishi, or having a buddy register it in Washington state or AZ, but my fear was that the DMV in WA or AZ would actually want to see the car. I called the Pacific Auto place in San Diego that many many people have had success with, but they never really followed up with me. Not bashing the place, they were clearly busy.
I figured I'd give it one more shot though with the 3rd party vin verifier and low and behold it worked.
Don't give up friends. It is possible.
Absolutely! I know they'd love to help out and increase their business. Texting him now to make sure it's cool to post their info.Why not send your VIN verifier some business and plug him (or her?) here? I bet a lot of folks lurking on this board would appreciate the reference!
Hey Friends,
So I finally got my rig registered in CA. I've heard of the different ways people have successfully accomplished it, but for me, I took it to a 3rd party vin verifier as well as a 3rd party DMV registration office here in Los Angeles. After a few months, yes months, it all worked out and I got the plates, pink slip, and even got State Farm to insure it.
I've owned JDM cars before and never was able to register them here in CA, but this time was different because it was already registered legitimately out of state and it's a diesel.
(Gray market gas cars tend to get referred to the state referee and they are so serious about emissions compliance, US DOT standards etc that it's pretty much a dead end. Dude had a massive binder with photos of nearly every possible Honda/Acura modification (aftermarket intakes, headers, cam sprockets, etc) it was bonkers. Like someone in the government got paid to compile a list of all of the aftermarket no no's.
Anyway, I was very very close to doing the Montana LLC thing with my Mitsubishi, or having a buddy register it in Washington state or AZ, but my fear was that the DMV in WA or AZ would actually want to see the car. I called the Pacific Auto place in San Diego that many many people have had success with, but they never really followed up with me. Not bashing the place, they were clearly busy.
I figured I'd give it one more shot though with the 3rd party vin verifier and low and behold it worked.
Don't give up friends. It is possible.
You got lucky at a very particular point in time, people have reported that Pacific Choice has really gone downhill in the past year and is no longer a reliable means of getting registered.Oh man - Congrats on solving that headache!
Sorry I didn't see this and reply sooner, but I had a similar experience!
Purchased my bb from DelicaUSA in 2018. Was registered in PA.
As soon as I got it shipped out, I went to a third party registration office in Oceanside and the nice lady there took care of all the paper work and took it to the DMV for me. In a few days, I had my Delica registered.
It was so easy (for me) I don't even know any of the details that went into the process
Maybe I just got really lucky? But I was pretty convinced that taking this avenue where sending someone on my behalf that knows the ins and outs of the DMV can get through all the BS for you.
Hope its as easy for anyone else that may be heading down this path as it was for me!
Emily was the one that helped me.Pacific Choice Auto Registration - Oceanside, CA
Specialties: We specialize in DMV Auto Registration Renewals and Title transfers for both in state and out-of- state titles for Auto, Motorcycles, Trailers, Boats, OHV, classics and lien sales. We offer onsite services, vin verification, title bonds, and most importantly time saving. Our staff...www.yelp.com
P.S. I'm wondering if we could add this to the Delica Map?
@Guero_Pajero Could you share your VIN verifier? I've been sitting on a Delica for 8 months, tried multiple avenues to get CA plates (and other states too!) via Pacific Choice. It's getting pretty desperate around here.Absolutely! I know they'd love to help out and increase their business. Texting him now to make sure it's cool to post their info.